Spousework: Partners Supporting Academic Leaders

By Teresa Johnston Oden

"It's a privileged life with great potential, but if you don't keep the upper hand it feels like you've taken a wild animal into your home," says Teresa Oden, whose husband has been leading academic institutions for eighteen years. Although the spouses are a disparate bunch, Oden maintains that they share a desire to support their leader-partners. It's no simple task. "The institution is so closely entwined with the leader's life that it practically becomes a third partner in the marriage. The spouse must learn to negotiate with that fact." Oden discusses the ways in which supporting a leader-partner differs from traditional helpmate roles. She examines the reasons for lingering expectations-why female spouses in particular are still expected to volunteer their time to the leaders' careers-as well as the special concerns of male spouses. A self-described introvert who needs a lot of privacy, Oden admits that her adjustment to life as the leader's spouse was difficult. "Today I can honestly say that there are parts of my role that I treasure. I found my way, but I felt the lack of a book that spoke to my experience."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 059545609X
• ISBN13: 9780595456093
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 104 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"